Assessment Details

Scientific Synthesis of the Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Biodiversity

Description

Ocean acidification research is still in its infancy, and many questions remain about its biological and biogeochemical consequences, and the accurate determination of sub critical levels, or ”tipping points” for global marine species, ecosystems and services. In particular, most understanding of biological impacts due to ocean acidification is derived from studies of individual organism responses. There is a critical need for information on impacts at the ecosystem level (e.g. changes in species composition, community-level production and calcification). In its decision IX/20 (marine and coastal biodiversity), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity requested the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with Parties, other Governments, and relevant organizations, to compile and synthesize available scientific information on ocean acidification and its impacts on marine biodiversity and habitats, which is identified as a potentially serious threat to cold-water corals and other marine biodiversity, and to make such information available for consideration at a future meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) prior to the tenth meeting of the Conference of Parties.” The report presents a review and synthesis of existing literature and other scientific information on the potential impacts of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity pursuant to decision IX/20. The report takes into consideration comments and feedbacks submitted by Parties, other Governments and organizations as well as experts who kindly peer-reviewed the report.
Research for this report was conducted by the CBD Secretariat in collaboration with the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), with the kind financial support of the Government of Spain.